Question

The characteristic odor of pineapple is due to ethyl butyrate, a compound containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Combustion of 1.95 mg of ethyl butyrate produces 4.42 mg of CO2 and 1.81 mg of H2O. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

Answer 1

Empirical formula is C₃H₃O

Step-by-step explanation:

Given data:

Mass of ethyl butyrate = 1.95 mg

Mass of CO₂ = 4.42 mg

Mass of water = 1.81 mg

Empirical formula = ?

Solution:

Percentage of C = 4.42/1.95 × 12/44×100

= 2.27× 0.273 ×100

= 62

percentage of H = 1.81/1.95 × 2/18 × 100

= 0.93 × 0.11 ×100

= 10.23

percentage of oxygen = 100 - (72.23)

= 27.77

number of gram atoms of C = 62/12 =5.17

number of gram atoms of H = 10.23 / 2 =5.115

number of gram atoms of O = 27.77 / 16 =1.74

Atomic ratio:

C : H : O

5.17/1.74 : 5.115/1.74 : 1.74/1.74

3 : 3 : 1

Empirical formula is C₃H₃O